Soda-water-dispensing machine



Feb. 1l, 1930. E. J. LIND SODA WATER DISPENSING MACHINE Filed oct. 11, 192s 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y A TTORNEYJ.`

Feb. l1, 1930. v E. J. LIND 1,746,597

l SODA WATER DISPENSING MACHINE A Filed Oct. 11, 192e s sheets-sheet E.-.1. LIND 1,746,597

SODA WATER DISPENSING MACHINE Fild oct. 4i1, ,1922s, e sheets-sheet 4 -INVENTOR Blyurwf/ ATTORNEYS.

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Feb. 1l, 1930.`

Feb. 1l, 1,930. E. J. LIND 1,745,597

` SODA-WATER DISPENSING MACHINE Filed oct. 11, 192e e sheets-sheet 5 l/ r v `Patented Feb.l 11,1930 Y y i i UNITED siiiiiss PATENT* OFFICE Application filed October 11, 1926. Serial'No. 140,810.

The present invention relates to vending or tents, Wherebythe weight of the filled cup efdispensing apparatus, and aims to provide a fcts the automatic unlatcliing of the door. novel form of vending machine, preferably Vith these general objects in View, as Well of the coin-controlled type, adapted for the as various other objects, such as improvedispensing of liquid, such as sodaivater, with ments in the control for the motor and its 55 additional provision for the feeding of a suitoperating connections, the mixing nozzle for able cup into filling position. v the discharge of the syrup and the carbonated Accordingly, I have devised an improved Water into the cup, and other improved feamachine by the operation of which, in i-etures of construction, the invention will now spouse to an appropriate coin control, acup be described by reference to the accompany- 60 may be fed into filling position, and thereafter ing 'drawings illustrating one form of appaa suitable mixture of soda Water` ingredients ratus which l have devised for embodying may be discharged into the cup by the soda the proposed features of improvement and Water dispensing mechanism forming a part effecting the desired functions, after which i of the apparatus and also subject to the coin those features and combinations deemed to 65 vcontrolled mechanism. be novel will be particularly set forth and Preferably, the embodiment 0f the appaclaimed. i.

, ratus which I employin practice comprises a 11i the drawings pair of magazines eachcontaining a supply Figure 1 isa perspective view showing an of the cups, and cup-dispensing mechanism apparatus constructed in accordance with the 70 whereby the cups are delivered alternately Present HWGHIOII;

from said magazines, in response t-o succes- .Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional sive operations of the liquid dispensing View,representingasection on the line II-II means. of Figure 1;

The Operation of the Oda Water Vending Figure 3 is .a vertical sectional view, repre- 75 mechanism is so timed as to feed the syrup or Sentlng a sectiorion the line III-III of Figequivalent material into the cup prior to the We 2a but (H mttlng the dehVeIY door OPe'at feeding of the carbonated Water, andfor this 1115K lechamsm purpose the action of the syrup feeding means F1gure 4: 1S an enlarged horlzontal sectwnal is. arranged to take place in response to the WGW represntmg a Section 0n the' lille 80 operation of the means for dispensing the IVTIV 0f Flgul'e 3j I carbonated Watch whereby' a proper time Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view ofthe relation is secured as regards the sequence of @@{ltal p0rno? 0f the Ppaltusa the Sed/1011 operation of these dispensing mechanisms. bem?? 0n th? Ime VTV 0f Elgu'e-jf;

3.) It is further Sought to provide an ,www Figure is a vertical sectional viewo'f the 85 ratus of the character indicated in which a fame pomo? of the appamhts the sectwn be' motor is utilized for operating the liquid dismfn theh1}e VIMI of lgu 5;, d t .1 pensing means as Well as the cup dispensing Vevgrhe' llr encrgeartcnlgla e al 4, mechanism, in their proper sequence, comy mp e Oor Tap' bined with; coin controlled means for starting VII VH of Figure l;

and stopping the motor bet-Ween successive 0P9mt1011$- 0f Sald hquld dlspensmg means representing a section on the line VIII-VIII and cup dispensing mechanism. of Figure 7;

4: ghetllwenlon tllIthjl COlllleS edng l Figure 9 is1 1an enlargedhhorizntal sedctional 95 Cil 1116 COHS I'UC 10H 111 W 1C 1S 111C 11 e 2V (etai viewi vustratin 't ecar onate Water door for the delivery compartment, together and SyrupA dispensin` cylinders and their with automatic ydoor latching means for main- Operating connections, the View being taken taining the door locked until the c up to be deon the line IX--IX of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional detail View,

resenting a section approximately ontheline 90 livered is charged with its soda Water con- Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to 100 that shown in Figure 9, but illustrating the parts in different operative relation;

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional detail I view of a portion of the rear end of the carbonated water cylinder, illustrating the supplementary vent valve used for regulating the action of said Cylinder;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional det-ail view, showing the coin control mechanism, whereby the operation of the motor is controlled, the view being a section on the line XII-X11 of Figure 4; 1

Figure 13 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the same coin control parts as appear in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a fragmentary elevation showing a portion of the coinchute and adjacent parts of the coin control connections, with the latter in different operative relation to illustrate the release of the switch latching element;

Figurell is a diagrammatic view, illustrating the motor circuit and its operating switch element;

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the mixing nozzle for the syrup and carbonated water, said view representing a section on the line XVI-XVI of Figure 6;

Figure 17 is a horizontal section, taken on the line XVII-XVII of Figure 16; and

Figures 18, 19 and 2O are enlarged sectional detail views of the valve structures for controlling the intakes and outlets of the carbonated Water and syrup cylinders, said views representing sections taken on the lines XVIII-XVIII, XIX-XIX and XX--XX respectively of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, these illustrate an apparatus comprising a cabinet in the top of which is located a refrigerating compartment 26 (see Figure 2) containing the coils 27 leading from a tank 28 for furnishing a supply of soda Water under pressure to the liquid dispensing mechanism, said tank 28 being located in a lower compartment 30 of the cabinet 25, as shown in Figure 3. The refrigerating compartment 26 also accommodates a syrup tank 31, and in this top portion of the cabinet is also provided a compartment 32 for accommodating a pair of magazines 33 each providing a supply of the cups 34 which are dispensed and filled with the soda water to be vended by the vending mechanism, as hereinafter explained. The cabinet 25 is provided with the usual hinged cover 36 affording access to the refrigerating compartment.v

The middle portion of the cabinet forms a compartment 37 for the liquid and cup dispensing mechanisms and actuating means therefor, as herein after more fully described, a door 38 (see Figure 1) 'affording access to said compartment 37 and having a glass panel 39 through which the mechanisms and their operation'may be viewed. A door 4:0 is also provided at the front of the lower compartment 30.

.Referringnow more particularly to Figures 4, 9 and 10, the soda water dispensing means comprises mechanism which is carried by a plate 42 supported by cross channels 43 eX- tending across the cabinet between the compartments 26 and 37 (see Figure This mechanism comprises a carbonated water dispensing cylinder 45 provided with a valve head 46 in which is mounted a pair of springactuated and normally closed valves, the valve 47 controlling communication between said cylinder and the refrigerating soda water coils 27, and the other valve 48 serving normally to close the outlet passage 49 from the cylinder, leading to the outlet pipe 50 (Figure 20). In the cylinder 45 is mounted a plunger 52 carried by a piston rod 53 provided with a collar 54 and cross bar 55, the latter being connected by a pair of coil tension springs 56 with suitable projections 57 from the valve head`46 (Figure 9). As thus arranged, the springs 56 tend normally to hold the plunger 52 in forward or waterdischarging position as shown in Figure 9.

The syrup supply tank 31 is provided with an outlet pipe 60 (Figure 3) leading to a syrup measuring and dispensing cylinder 61 (Figures 9, 10 and 18) provided with a plunger 62 carried by a piston rod 63 pivotally and slidahly connected withalever 64one end of which is :tulcrumed on a fixed pin 65 depending from the plate 42. Intermediate its ends the lever 64 is pivotally connected with adjustable turnbuckle rod 66, which in turn is pivotally connected, as indicated at 67 to one end of a lever 68 fulcrumed on a ixed pin 69 depending from the plate 42, and the other end of said lever 68 is slidably and pivotally connected to the outer end of the piston rod 53 (Figures 9 and 10). By means of these connections, it is apparent that the rearward or retracting movement of the plunger 52 within the cylinder 45 effects the operative or impelling stroke of the plunger 62 within the syrup cylinder 61, whereas the advance or impelling stroke of the plunger 52 operates to effect the retracting or suction stroke of the plunger 62 for filling the cylinder 61 with a charge of the syrup. The connection 60 from the tank 31 communicates with the cylinder 61 by way of a spring check valve 70 which normally closes communication between said cylinder andthe pipe 60, but opens to admit a supply oi the syrup in response to the suction stroke of the plunger 62; on the working or impelling stroke of the plunger 62, the syrup is discharged by way of an outlet passage 72 held normally closed by a spring actuated check valve 7 3 but opening under the pressure imparted by the action of the plunger 62 to discharge the syrup into an outlet connection 74 leading to a union 75 connecting the outlet pipe 50 from the cylinder llO 45 with a. discharge pipe 76 leading to the cup filling position where the pipe 7 6 is provided with a carbonated water and syrup mixing nozzle (Figures 3, 16 and 17). This mixing nozzle comprises a casing 78 formed with a partition 79 having perforations 80 for dividing or distributing the iiow of liquid to opposite sides of the casing, the lower side of which is threaded for the attachment of a nozzle. member 81 within Which is fitted a pair of screen elements 82 and an intermediate perforated disk 83, the purpose of which is not only to screen the liquid but also to intimately mingle the liquids and thus produce as perfectlyy uniform or homogenous mixture as possible.

The means for controlling the valves 47 and 48 of the carbonated water cylinder 45 comprises a slide member 85 mounted in guideways 86 within the valve. head 46 andformed with projecting bosses 87 adapted for alternatively actuating said valves as required vfor admitting a charge of carbonated water to the cylinder 45 and allowing the discharge of the same on the working stroke of the plunger therein (see Figures 19 and 20). The slide member 85 is engaged by one arm of a bell crank lever 88 pivoted at 89 within a bracket 90 projecting from the valve head 46,v the other arm of whichlever 88 is pivotally connected to a latch link 91.' said link having attached thereto a coiltension spring 92, one

l end of which is connected with a fixed pin 93 depending from the plate 42. The pull of the spring 92, acting through the link 91 and lever 88, maintains the slide member 85 normally in the position required for main-taining the valve 47 closed and the outlet valve 48 opened, as illustrated in Figure 9.

The link 91 is formed with a catching 95 adapted, -in the position of said link illustrated in Figure 9, for engagement by the upper end ofa lever 96 pivoted at a fixed point 97 (see Figures 3 and 6)provided by the framework 98 mounted within the intermediate compartment 37 of the cabinet. The lever 96 is held retracted by la'coil spring 99 for maintaining a roller 100, carried by said lever, in engagement with a cam element 101 on one end of a shaft102 journaled in bearings provided by said framework 98. The shaft 102 also carries a bevel gear 103 in 4 mesh with a bevel pinion 104 on a short vertical shaft 105 which carries a Worm gear106 actuated by a worm element 107 carried by the shaft of a suitable electric motor 108. 0n

completion of the operative movement ofl the link 91 in response to the action of the vlever 96 as moved by the cam member 101,

the catch element 95 of the link 91,is dis-b engaged from said lever 96 by the operation of a tripping mechanism comprising a lever l110 pivoted upon a fixed pin 111 depending from the plate 42, said lever 110 being -pivotally and slidably connected with said linky members 121.

91, and also connected by means of`a link 112 with a lever 114 pivoted upon a fixed pin 115 depending from said plate 42 and also carrying a projection 116 extending in` position for engagement by the collar 54 on the piston rod 53 at the end of the retracting movement of the plunger52, as illustrated in -F igure 10. By means of this construction it is appare-nt that when the cylinder 45 has become charged with the carbonated water by the opening of the valve 47, whereby the springs 56 have been placed under tension as shown in Figure 10. The tripping of the lug 95 from the lever 96 releases the plunger 52 and its connections to the action of the spring 56, whereupon this spring action produces the opposite movements of both plungers 52 and ,62, respectively.' through the connections which have been described.

At the base of each of the cnp'magazines 33 is provided a cup dispensing device indicated generally by the reference numeral 120, this device comprising a cup dispensing mechanism of well known form and not herein shown in detail, the same including a reciprocating member 121, each operation of which effects the delivery of a` cup from the corresponding magazine. rl`he apparatus ,which I have devised is arranged to effect .lobeportions 124 maintained in .respective engagement with the outer endsof said slide One end of the lever 122 is pivotally connected with one end of a link 125, the other end of which is pivotally connected with the upper end of a lever 126 (sce Figures 5 and 6). This lever 126 is fnlcrumed at 127 in the framework 98, and is provided with a'roller129 which is maintained, by the action of a sp'ring130 connected to the upper end portion of the lever 126, in constant engagement with a cam element 131 carried by one end of a cam shaft 132 which is liournaled in bearings provided by said framework 98. The other end of Athe shaft 132 is provided with a gear 133 dri'ven b v a pinion 134 on the corresponding end of the shaft 102, as shown in Flgnresl 4 and 5.

The operation of the motorv is controlled by a suitable coin operated or controlled mechanism which comprises a coinchute 136 having an opening 137 for the insertion of acoin att-he front ofthe cabinet (see Figure 1) the lower end of the chute being adapted to 4discharge the coins. after operation of the coin control, into a suitable receptacle 138 (Figure 12). Near its lower end, the chute 136 is provided with an opening 139 into which projects a roller 140 carried by the end of a lever 141 which is pivoted at 142 to a vertical frame `piece 143 and maintained by said roller 140 in position for presenting the .latter normally in coin intercepting position within the chute 136 as represented in Figure 12. A detent lever 141 is also pivoted at 142 and connected by a pin and slot conliection 118 with the lever 141, and a spring 144 is provided which tends automatically to lift the lever 141 to engage its tooth 145 with the lower end of a lever 146, pivoted at 147 to thc frame piece 143 (see Figure 12), the upper end of which lever 146 is pivotally connected to the operating element 148 of a suitable snap switch 149 of well known commercial form, for controlling the circuit through the motor 108. In Figure 15 is illustrated a diagram of the circuit 150 and its connections with the motor 108, including the arrangement of the switch element 149 liust referred to. When the lever 146 is releasedby disengagement of its lower end from the lever. 141, a coil tension spring 152 operates to rock the lever 146 and thereby throw the switch element 148 into position for closing the switch 149, and hence the circuit through the motor 108. The circuit through the motor 108 thereupon remains closed until the switch. element 148 is thrown in the opposite direcf` tion, which is accomplishedby the operation of a lever 154 pivoted at 155 to the frame piece 143, the upper end or which lever is adapted for operative engagement with said switch;A

element 148, whereas its lower end is provided with a roller 156 adapted to be engaged by a cam member 157 secured to one end of the shaft 102.

Ae already indicated, when a coin 160 is dropped into the chute 136, its descent is arrested by the detent roller 140` at which point of the chute I provide a sliding plunger Vrod 161 mounted for horizontal sliding movement in guide brackets 162 with one end of said rod adapted tobe projected into the chute 136 foreengagement with the coin 160. The rod 161 is maintained normally retracted by the action of a coil spring 163 connected with a lever arm 164 pivoted at 165 tothe frame piece 143, and also to the rod 161' as indicated at 166'in Figure 12. '1he upper end of said lever arm 164 is provided with a laterally projecting knife portion 167 designed to be moved .through a slot-168 in the coin chute 136 with the object of severing any cord or string device which might have been attached to a coin for recovering the same through the slot 137. A second plunger rod 170 is mounted for sliding movement through the front wall of the cabinet 25 'where it is provided with an external knob 171 forengagement by the customeror other operator, the inner end of said rod l1( 0 extending into operative engagement with the front end portion of the rod '161.

The cups 34 as discharged by the dispensing devices 120 are received by a Y-shaped chute or guide 175 and thereby delivered into a cup holder 17 6 (see Figures 7 and 8). This cup holder 176 is mounted upon the upper face of a curved platform 177 projecting from the inner face of a relatively small delivery compartment door 178, which is also provided with the exterior handle 179. The platform 177 is provided with a latch element 180 pivotally mounted, as indicated at 181, with one end of said latch member projecting into the cup holder 176 in position for engagemeiit by the bottom of the cup 34. The door 178 is maintained in normally closed position by the action of a spring 182 associated with the pivot 183 serving as a support for the combined door 178 and its platform 17 7 In closed position, the latch member v180 operates automatically to lock the door by the engagement of the shouldered end 180 of the latch with a catch lug 185 adapted for engagement by said latch member when in this position. The weight of a cup 34 is insuiiicient to dsengage the latch from its vlocked relation with the catch 185, but the thereby permits the customer to open the door into the position illustrated by the broken lines `in Figure 7. That end of the latch member which 'proj ects within the cup holder 17 6 is suitably perforated with drain openings 186, and a drain channel 187 is provided from the 'cup holder 176 to the inner end of the platform 17 7 where a drain Outlet 188 is provided, the same being adapted to discharge, in any position of the platform, into a drain trough 189 which is provided with an outlet pipe 190 leading into the waste receptacle 191 mounted in the lower compartment 30 of the cabinet. A similar drain pipe 192 is provided from the refrigerati ng compartment 26, for conducting the waste water therefrom into said receptacle 191.

cycle of the operation may be set forth. On

inserting a coin 16() through the opening 137 into the chute 136, the coin is caught by the detent roller andvheld until the operator pushes in the plunger 17 0, thus rocking the lever 141 and releasing the switch detent lever 146. The spring 152 thereupon operates the lever 146', thus actuating the switch element 148 and closing the motor circuit. The motor will the'nl continue to operate for one revolution of the shaft 102, or until the cam element 157, rotating in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12. will rockthe lever 154, which again actuates the switch 148 and opens the motor circuit. D11-ring this operation, a half revolution is imparted to the shaft 132 which actuates the cup dispensing mechanism of onel of 121, of the other cup magazine, being actuated by the opposite movement of the lever 122 taking place in the next succeedingoperation of the vending apparatus. Whichever cup dispensing device is operated, a cup is deliveredinto the chute or guide 175, and by it discharged intov the cup holder 17 6 in the position shown in Figure 8. The rotation of the shaft 102and the cam element 101'carried thereby, further actuates the lever 96 which is engaged with the link 91 forming part of the mechanism for actuating the valves ofthe carbonated water cylinder 45. rJ'Chis valve operation is e'ected in opposition to the pull of the spring 92, as already explained. The valve 47 of the cylinder 45 being open, carbonated water is admitted thereto, resulting in rearward or retracting movement of the plunger 52 against the tension ofthe springs 56. In this connection it may be explained that at the conclusion of the last preceding cycle of the operation of the machine, a retracting movement has taken place of the plunger 62 of the syrup cylinder 61, leaving said cylinder supplied with the proper charge of syrup for the succeeding vendingoperation. Hence, in the movement just described ofthe plunger 52, the plunger 62 of the syrup cylinder is actuated in a forward direction, as

4required for the discharge of its contents into the liquid conduit A76. This feeding of the syrup into the discharge conduit in advance of the carbonated water is of advantage, since it is well known that the syrup is of a viscous consistency'- and sluggish in its movement, and the flow thereof is accelerated by the action ofthe carbonated Water flow following up the movement of the syrup material, thus completely washing out the conduit in an obvious manner. As the collar 54 on the piston rod 53 reaches the rearward limit of its movement, according to its adjustment along said rod 53, it comes into engagement with the plate 116 projecting from the arm 114, and producing arearwardv swinging movement of said arm, and thereby through .its connection with the link 91 disengaging the lug 95'vfrom the lever 96, as represented in Figure 10. The plunger 52 is now free to `move in response to the pull of the springs 56, on its working or impelling stroke, for effecting the discharge of the contentsof the cylinder 45 past the outlet valve 48, it being recalled that the release of the link 91 from the lever 96 has also released the spring 92 and effected a return of the valve slide 85 to initial position, with thevalve 48 open and the valve 47 closed. The working stroke of the plunger 52 simultaneously effects the lsuction stroke of the plunger 62, so that at the end of this operation the latter plunger is again in the position illustrated in Figure 9,

having drawn a new charge into the ,cylinder 61 ready for the next succeeding vending operation. In this connection it mayl be eX- plained that provision is made for .adjusting the charging volume of the cylinder, this provision referring to the turnbuckle connection 66 between the levers 64 and 68, whereby the cylinder 45 may also be conveniently regulated by means of a supplementary vent Valve i196 provided at one Aend of the cylinder 45,

the adjustment of which valve serves t`o regulate the speed of the plunger in response to the carbonated water pressure, it being understood that the faster this plungermovement the greater will be the gaseous content of the charge admitted to the cylinder whereas the slower this plunger movement, due to a more nearly closed position of said valve 196, the smaller will be the percentage, of gas admitted,-so that the proper or desired extent to which the mixture is charged with the gas may be readily secured by the manipulation 4 of this valve.

'A wire detent element 216 is attached to the' lever 146 and projects atits free end in the opening 139 for successively intercepting andretaining the coins in the event of-more tha'n 'one being dropped down the chute at one time. Thus the proper operation of the apparatus by each of such coins is not interfered with.

Asuitable huilen element 198 (see Figure 9) is provided for engagement by the arm 88 under the pull of thesprng 92 after the tripping of the connection between the link 91 and lever 96.

After the syrup charge and the carbonated water have passed down through the conduit 76into th-e mixing nozzle 78, they are here screened and most thoroughly intermingled, and nally discharged as a perfectly homogeneous mixture into the cup 34; the combined v weight of the cup and its contents now effects the unlocking of the latch member 180, whereupon the customer or operator may open'the door and remove the cup from its holder 17 6.

The succeeding operations are simply a repetition of the foregoing steps, the only variation being `that the cup -dispensing mechanisms are alternately operated, that is to say, two cups being vended for each complete rotation of the shaft 132.

While I have illustrated what I nov:r re ard as the preferred form of embodiment o the apparatus, I desire tobe understood as eX- pressly reserving the right to make all such changes or modlfcations as may fairly fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v

l. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair 'of fixed cup dispensing magazines, a cup dispensing mechanism associated with each of said magazines for feedin cups into filling position, a motor provided with connections for alternately actuating said dispensing mechanisms, and means. also actuated by said motor for feedin0r a mingled charge of liquids into each cup a er reaching filling position.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a cabinet provided with a door, a platform rigidly associated with said door, cup dispensing means for releasing a cup into filling position upon said platform, means for feeding a liquid into the cup when in illing position, and automatic door latch means actuated into unlatched relation by the Weight of the filled cup on said platform,

3. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a pair of fixed cup-dispensing magazines, a cup-dispensing mechanism associated with each of said magazines and operative to vfeed a cup therefrom into cup-filling position, a motor provided with connections for alternately actuating said vdispensing mechanisms, and means actuated by each operation ofthe motor for feeding a liquid into each cup after it reaches filling position.

4. A dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid dispensing cylinder having a plunger and an inlet valve and a discharge valve, spring elements actin to hold said valves normally in closed position, means for actuating said valves comprising a'slide having spaced bosses adapted to engage and operate said valves for first moving the inlet valve into open position While leaving the discharge valve closed and thereafter actuating said (,ischarge valve into open position'while permitting closing movement of the inlet valve, and means operating automatically at the end of the filling stroke of the plunger for reversing the movement of said slide.

In witness whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

EDWARD J. LIND. 

